Canada is a largely liberal nation that is currently ruled by Stephen Harper's minority Conservative government (currently 33% to 29% ahead in national polls). Harper has tacked to the centre in order to stay in power according to many libertarians and small 'c' conservatives. Occasionally the conservatives rebel – as they did one week ago in scuppering plans to gender neutralise Canada's national anthem.

The wealthy province of Alberta, however, is very conservative and the Conservative Party has ruled there since 1971. Over that time it has drifted from its ideological roots. The National Post newspaper has attacked the Albertan Conservative leader Ed Stelmach as a big spender.